Caroniaguy

We'll be with you on this upcoming cruise on the NA, also celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary! Yes, I understand the disappointment completely, I wish there were other options too. My DH and I both decided, it doesn't matter where we go....yes this seems to be more of a "beach trip" this time. So be it. It'll force us to just relax instead of running from place to place to see the sights. Too, there is something to be said for meeting new people in a relaxed setting, find you enjoy the company, camaraderie and adult bevvies. Some of our best times have been those days and nights of just sitting around talking, laughing and dancing. We'll make it fun, we'll make it memorable. No it isn't what we expected, but travelling is about expecting the unexpected. Acknowledge your disappointment then decide what you can do to mitigate it.....I suggest we and our spouses meet for a 10-cenary anniversary drink, say in the Ocean Bar?

As an addendum: if you see the FOD listing in your daily programme, for heaven sakes: GO!. Yes it can be a dud and no one has anything in common, but It can also be the best group of people you’ve ever met. We have made life long friends from several of the meetings and treasured the memories and friends we’ve made.

We routinely watch for and attend FOD meetings and will do so on our upcoming cruise on HAL Nieuw Amsterdam 10/28 through 11/11. Yes it can be hit or miss, as it was on our Celebrity Cruise to Alaska. But so be it. Every trip is different and so are the people. Best gatherings were 2007 HAL Maasdam with both gay and straight..most nights upwards of 26 people and QE2 in ‘01 and ‘03. Best question ever at the gatherings....(from a straight passenger not “in the know”.)...”Who is this Dorothy person?” And, “Are you all really friends of hers, or are some of you relatives?”

Thanks for your comments and thoughts. Sorry this was so hard to read in the earlier version....if I could delete the earlier version I would but alas there doesn't seem to be a way. I wanted to add that this was our 4th Celebrity cruise and we were excited and happy to try this newer ship. The music had never been an issue previously and that was what made this time so difficult. Yes, perhaps we should have brought earplugs, who knew!?! The best musical mishap on the trip occurred while we sat in the sauna and got to listen to "Ave Maria"...this was rather disconcerting as we all were in various states of undress....a little like being naked in church. The looks on the faces of the others was priceless...we still are laughing about that one! Yes, Celebrity really does need to seriously rethink their music marketing. From other reviews and other ships it appears that there is very little consistency on volume.

Thanks for the suggestions, let's try this again:

Celebrity does many things right, an Incredibly Wonderful, hardworking staff, Wonderful food, Beautiful cabins, elegant ships and a wide array of options to customize your vacation time. We sailed on the August 15, 2014 Inside Passage Cruise to Alaska with our family. We had multiple cabins, ours was a Concierge Level cabin, #1207 on Sky Deck. Beautifully laid out and well designed this was a pleasant roomy cabin with a small balcony. Our room attendants were friendly, helpful yet unobtrusive...although the same can be said for absolutely every staff member we encountered. Everyone was a delight and no question or concern was too small or trivial. The staff and how it relates to and works with guests is one of Celebrity Cruises very strong points.

Food throughout the ship was thoughtfully prepared, well presented and tasty. Surprisingly, The Oceanview Café (the Lido buffet) was among the best we've ever experienced (this was cruise number 14 for us). The layout of Café was well planned and facilitated an easy flow throughout. The food was of equal quality to the Main Dining Room and was well displayed creating an appealing visual presentation. It would be very easy to completely blow your diet here. We also had occasion to try some of the food offerings in SPA area of the Solstice, forgive me but I forgot the name of this eatery. Again, quality was very good and beautifully presented as well as tasty. The Grand Epernay Dining Room is a breathtaking room that settles somewhere between late 90's modern and Jetsonesque in appearance. Understated, this room lets the food and service be the star of the show, and it was. A diversified menu offered many options and we were able to find a delicious entrée each evening.

Our group also tried The Tuscan Grill one evening. Again, spot on service, and very good food. Here though we encountered one of the few challenges of our trip; there was a problem with several orders of steak that were not prepared as requested and arrived very overcooked. When this was brought to the attention of our waitstaff, they offered to recook the entire meal. Those with the overcooked food refused (this is not a fast service venue and the rest of us would have been finished with our meal by the time the food had been re-cooked) and chose not to finish their meal and simply requested that they not be charged. There was much discussion amongst the waitstaff and restaurant manager but in the end, they refused to remove the charges for those who didn't eat. Our group spent $300 dining in this venue and this should have been handled better.

There are a number of bars onboard and many of them were busy at all hours. The most popular spot was the Martini Bar. It is obvious that the staff here enjoys their work and wants to create a memorable experience for every passenger. The Molecular Bar is good but not outstanding, at $13 per cocktail I expect to be wooed and tempted. The multi-page menu here is somewhat overwhelming but the knowledgeable bartenders (they won't let forget how much they know and how lucky you are to be there) offer suggestions but are rather abrupt and even a bit catty in trying to get you make a decision so they can move on to the next guest. The Sky Lounge was a spectacular space that offered panoramic views. It was sadly very underutilized and remained empty much of the time. The same was true for Quasar Nightclub which was mostly used for table tennis and for Cellar Masters Wine Bar, which just seemed to empty anytime we stopped by.

During one of our sea days we did happen upon The Corning Hot Glass Show. In a word, outstanding. Do not miss this. The artisans onboard were knowledgeable, approachable and created a sense of excitement and beauty in the work they performed. Viewing is up close and sightlines are quite good. It is amazing what they are able to accomplish with the limitations they have trying to do a glass show at sea.

When we cruise we usually purchase a pass to the Persian Gardens (Thermal Suite) for the length of cruise and we did so this time. We find that it is important to spend some time unwinding, especially after a day of touring and this is a good way to do it. The Persian Gardens are a part of The Canyon Ranch Spa onboard. This is a mixed venue with both men and women. Well designed and with uninterrupted views of the ocean this was a place we went to daily. It was quite relaxing although very busy. With the addition of AquaSpa cabins the PG was far busier than we have ever experienced although this is not much of a problem. What was a problem was the PG was largely unmonitored and we were aware of one group of guests who hadn't paid for use of this area being admitted by another family member who had purchased the pass. Alternatively there are saunas in each of the dressing rooms (Men's and Women's) as well as showers and dressing areas. This would be good for those sharing cabins as it gives the possibility of showering outside your cabin while freeing up the cabin shower for other family members, however the dressing rooms are part of Canyon Ranch and so are subject to the same opening and closing hours...which is not always convenient.

As I stated earlier, this was an Inside Passage Cruise to Alaska, and we were not disappointed. Yes there was rain for about half the cruise but that was not anything we could control so we just moved on and enjoyed the stops as much as possible. Ketchikan was a pleasant stop with a little bit to do, much of it surrounding the Ketchikan Creek and the "Red Light District" building that have since been converted to restaurants, artist spaces and tourist shops. Pleasant and a good way to kill some time. We opted to spend time at the Ketchikan Historical Museum and were not disappointed, the local history is fascinating and gives a good albeit brief overview of the Ketchikan story. This stop was quite rainy and so we did not explore as much as we would had the weather been better.

Juneau was the 2nd stop and there was much to do. Of course the requisite tourist shops were there in abundance. We opted to do zip lining as "our tour" in Tongass National Forest. Yes it is scary, yes I was scared, true it was high up there but I'm so glad I did go and likely will do it again. The rush of excitement, the uncertainty of my abilities and egging on of the others in our group made it an excursion to remember. Once safely back on land, we also explored the surrounding area and happened into the oldest Russian Orthodox Church in Alaska. It is tiny, and despite all odds the local population is trying mightily to preserve and restore this bit of Juneau history.

Skagway was our last Alaska stop and owing to much improved weather was one of our favorites. It has retained the frontier flavor of a bygone era. Colorful, friendly, full of tourist shops there is something for everyone in Skagway. We booked a local excursion here and paralleled, by bus, the White Pass train trail. We had numerous stops and plenty of time to photograph and do some brief exploring. As do most tours, ours culminated at the border crossing between the U.S. and Canada in the Klondike. The views were breathtaking and our knowledgeable guide made the trip well worth the cost. Don't forget to ask about the wild blueberries! YUM.

Victoria B.C. was our final stop of this cruise. This is truly a gem and it was unfortunate that we only had a few hours here as this would easily be an overnight stop. Beautiful, friendly and infinitely walkable, Victoria abounds with pleasant sights, people and history. If you photograph at all, be sure to have your camera with you here. Look in at The Empress Hotel, walk the side streets of charming little houses, talk to the locals...we were asked several times what our impression was of the island and people were genuinely curious to know if we liked Victoria...we did, so will you. It is an easy walk to town from the pier, walking through the neighborhood rather than along the seawall cuts the walk time to about 15 minutes.

Celebrity does many things right, from ships, to staff, to itineraries, to food. There is much to be said about their desire to create a vacation experience. However, where it goes off track it does so with alarming consequences for it’s passengers:

The Life Boat Drill is one of the most chaotic, disorganized events I have ever witnessed. I observed that even the crew is not entirely sure of what to do with all the passengers. The drill is conducted indoors, so you don't actually report to your lifeboat station as on other cruises. Once you find your indoor meeting place then the chaos begins. Stand here, move there, sit here, no don't sit here, move over to the far side of the room, line up in rows, break the rows down, squeeze together more. I understand and support the need for these drills but was left wondering how this would be handled if the emergency were real. Concerning.

Music. This was the real challenge of this cruise, music. Where Celebrity goes off track badly, this is it.

From morning to night it was one continuous din. We enjoy a party as much as the next person, but the overwhelming, pulsating, pounding, driving, loud bar music made for a very unpleasant trip. I'm not elderly, not really even old but felt as if we couldn't escape the noise anywhere other than our cabin. We felt like prisoners being "musicboarded". Even in areas of the ship where you'd expect quiet, the music was over-loud, Persian Gardens (irritatingly loud screechy vocals as well the thumping music from the fitness center next door), the Solarium Pool, blasting instrumentals (here at least they willingly would turn down the volume to a reasonable level if asked), The Atrium area (the volume of music was so loud that you couldn't speak to the person standing next to you without shouting. Amazingly this is also an area where passengers and staff conduct business at the front desk, shore excursions office, etc and having to shout to be heard means having to announce your business to everyone around.).

Yes, I understand that Celebrity is trying to create a "party atmosphere" however, how is it enjoyable when one is assaulted by the music? Imagine waiting outside The Grand Epernay Dining Room for the doors to open, you and several hundred others crowded into a small area with thumping bar music playing so loud that all you can do is stand and listen since there is no conversation possible, not pleasant.). Or how about the elderly female passenger outside Celebrity Central theater who repeatedly tried to get help from a staff member as she was becoming ill and needed to be assisted to a restroom but had to resort to yelling for help as the music was so loud that she could not be heard until it was too late. Not pleasant for her I'm sure.

I also understand that "too loud" is a matter of opinion so others may disagree. We are not looking for a "snooze cruise" but an experience where music is appropriate to the venue in which it is located. A 15 deck open atrium that has the library, card room and ILounge backing onto it, having insanely loud, thumping, pumping music is not the answer. As others have noted, many obvious music venues where under-utilized (Sky Lounge, Quasar, Cellar Masters) and these areas sat empty most evenings or were used for table tennis (Quasar).

In the Sky Lounge and Quasar, I expect dance or techno music and welcome it and will likely participate as the mood strikes me. If I choose not to be a part of the music activities, then my choice offends no one and I can move to an area of the ship where I can relax with a book, have a quiet drink, socialize with friends and recharge and re-energize myself in my own way. Let ME choose when to be part of the party. Celebrity has made a serious mistake with this marketing model and I can't help but think it will turn away more of us than attract. This why my review goes from a 5 star to a 3 star. I understand that some will say this is an unfair reduction in the rating after so many positives, but like ongoing rude service, or a too hot cabin, missed stops and bad food the music was a deal breaker since it was so pervasive and inescapable. This is my 4th cruise on Celebrity and this experience will make this my last...it appears that I am past the marketing target that Celebrity is going after.

So there it is in a large, long nutshell. Many positives. An itinerary that I would quickly recommend, a beautiful ship with an outstanding staff, delicious food, beautiful cabins and public areas. Of concern, a more than challenging life boat drill and completely overwhelming music from stem to stern at all times. A good cruise but much better when your not on the ship.

Celebrity does many things right, an Incredibly Wonderful, hardworking staff, Wonderful food, Beautiful cabins, elegant ships and a wide array of options to customize your vacation time. We sailed on the August 15, 2014 Inside Passage Cruise to Alaska with our family. We had multiple cabins, ours was a Concierge Level cabin, #1207 on Sky Deck. Beautifully laid out and well designed this was a pleasant roomy cabin with a small balcony. Our room attendants were friendly, helpful yet unobtrusive...although the same can be said for absolutely every staff member we encountered. Everyone was a delight and no question or concern was too small or trivial. The staff and how it relates to and works with guests is one of Celebrity Cruises very strong points. Food throughout the ship was thoughtfully prepared, well presented and tasty. Surprisingly, The Oceanview Café (the Lido buffet) was among the best we've ever experienced (this was cruise number 14 for us). The layout of Café was well planned and facilitated an easy flow throughout. The food was of equal quality to the Main Dining Room and was well displayed creating an appealing visual presentation. It would be very easy to completely blow your diet here. We also had occasion to try some of the food offerings in SPA area of the Solstice, forgive me but I forgot the name of this eatery. Again, quality was very good and beautifully presented as well as tasty. The Grand Epernay Dining Room is a breathtaking room that settles somewhere between late 90's modern and Jetsonesque in appearance. Understated, this room lets the food and service be the star of the show, and it was. A diversified menu offered many options and we were able to find a delicious entrée each evening. Our group also tried The Tuscan Grill one evening. Again, spot on service, and very good food. Here though we encountered one of the few challenges of our trip; there was a problem with several orders of steak that were not prepared as requested and arrived very overcooked. When this was brought to the attention of our waitstaff, they offered to recook the entire meal. Those with the overcooked food refused (this is not a fast service venue and the rest of us would have been finished with our meal by the time the food had been re-cooked) and chose not to finish their meal and simply requested that they not be charged. There was much discussion amongst the waitstaff and restaurant manager but in the end, they refused to remove the charges for those who didn't eat. Our group spent $300 dining in this venue and this should have been handled better.

There are a number of bars onboard and many of them were busy at all hours. The most popular spot was the Martini Bar. It is obvious that the staff here enjoys their work and wants to create a memorable experience for every passenger. The Molecular Bar is good but not outstanding, at $13 per cocktail I expect to be wooed and tempted. The multi-page menu here is somewhat overwhelming but the knowledgeable bartenders (they won't let forget how much they know and how lucky you are to be there) offer suggestions but are rather abrupt and even a bit catty in trying to get you make a decision so they can move on to the next guest. The Sky Lounge Was a spectacular space that offered panoramic views. It was sadly very underutilized and remained empty much of the time. The same was true for Quasar Nightclub which was mostly used for table tennis and for Cellar Masters Wine Bar, which just seemed to empty anytime we stopped by.

During one of our sea days we did happen upon The Corning Hot Glass Show. In a word, outstanding. Do not miss this. The artisans onboard were knowledgeable, approachable and created a sense of excitement and beauty in the work they performed. Viewing is up close and sightlines are quite good. It is amazing what they are able to accomplish with the limitations they have trying to do a glass show at sea.

When we cruise we usually purchase a pass to the Persian Gardens (Thermal Suite) for the length of cruise and we did so this time. We find that it is important to spend some time unwinding, especially after a day of touring and this is a good way to do it. The Persian Gardens are a part of The Canyon Ranch Spa onboard. This is a mixed venue with both men and women. Well designed and with uninterrupted views of the ocean this was a place we went to daily. It was quite relaxing although very busy. With the addition of AquaSpa cabins the PG was far busier than we have ever experienced although this is not much of a problem. What was a problem was the PG was largely unmonitored and we were aware of one group of guests who hadn't paid for use of this area being admitted by another family member who had purchased the pass. Alternatively there are saunas in each of the dressing rooms (Men's and Women's) as well as showers and dressing areas. This would be good for those sharing cabins as it gives the possibility of showering outside your cabin while freeing up the cabin shower for other family members, however the dressing rooms are part of Canyon Ranch and so are subject to the same opening and closing hours...which is not always convenient.

As I stated earlier, this was an Inside Passage Cruise to Alaska, and we were not disappointed. Yes there was rain for about half the cruise but that was not anything we could control so we just moved on and enjoyed the stops as much as possible. Ketchikan was a pleasant stop with a little bit to do, much of it surrounding the Ketchikan Creek and the "Red Light District" building that have since been converted to restaurants, artist spaces and tourist shops. Pleasant and a good way to kill some time. We opted to spend time at the Ketchikan Historical Museum and were not disappointed, the local history is fascinating and gives a good albeit brief overview of the Ketchikan story. This stop was quite rainy and so we did not explore as much as we would had the weather been better.

Juneau was the 2nd stop and there was much to do. Of course the requisite tourist shops were there in abundance. We opted to do zip lining as "our tour" in Tongass National Forest. Yes it is scary, yes I was scared, true it was high up there but I'm so glad I did go and likely will do it again. The rush of excitement, the uncertainty of my abilities and egging on of the others in our group made it an excursion to remember. Once safely back on land, we also explored the surrounding area and happened into the oldest Russian Orthodox Church in Alaska. It is tiny, and despite all odds the local population is trying mightily to preserve and restore this bit of Juneau history.

Skagway was our last Alaska stop and owing to much improved weather was one of our favorites. It has retained the frontier flavor of a bygone era. Colorful, friendly, full of tourist shops there is something for everyone in Skagway. We booked a local excursion here and paralleled, by bus, the White Pass train trail. We had numerous stops and plenty of time to photograph and do some brief exploring. As do most tours, ours culminated at the border crossing between the U.S. and Canada in the Klondike. The views were breathtaking and our knowledgeable guide made the trip well worth the cost. Don't forget to ask about the wild blueberries! YUM.

Victoria B.C. our final stop of this cruise was Victoria. This is truly a gem and it was unfortunate that we only had a few hours here as this would easily be an overnight stop. Beautiful, friendly and infinitely walkable, Victoria abounds with pleasant sights, people and history. If you photograph at all, be sure to have your camera with you here. Look in at The Empress Hotel, walk the side streets of charming little houses, talk to the locals...we were asked several times what our impression was of the island and people were genuinely curious to know if we liked Victoria...we did, so will you. It is an easy walk to town from the pier, walking through the neighborhood rather than along the seawall cuts the walk time to about 15 minutes.

Celebrity does many things right, from ships, to staff, to itineraries, to food. There is much to be said about their desire to create a vacation experience. However, where it goes off track it does so with alarming consequences for its' passengers:

The Life Boat Drill is one of the most chaotic, disorganized events I have ever witnessed. I observed that even the crew is not entirely sure of what to do with all the passengers. The drill is conducted indoors, so you don't actually report to your lifeboat station as on other cruises. Once you find your indoor meeting place then the chaos begins. Stand here, move there, sit here, no don't sit here, move over to the far side of the room, line up in rows, break the rows down, squeeze together more. I understand and support the need for these drills but was left wondering how this would be handled if the emergency were real. Concerning.

Music. This was the real challenge of this cruise, music. Where Celebrity goes off track badly, this is it.

From morning to night it was one continuous din. We enjoy a party as much as the next person, but the overwhelming, pulsating, pounding, driving, loud bar music made for a very unpleasant trip. I'm not elderly, not really even old but felt as if we couldn't escape the noise anywhere other than our cabin. We felt like prisoners being "musicboarded". Even in areas of the ship where you'd expect quiet, the music was over-loud, Persian Gardens (irritatingly loud screechy vocals as well the thumping music from the fitness center next door), the Solarium Pool, blasting instrumentals (here at least they willingly would turn down the volume to a reasonable level if asked), The Atrium area (the volume of music was so loud that you couldn't speak to the person standing next to you without shouting. Amazingly this is also an area where passengers and staff conduct business at the front desk, shore excursions office, etc and having to shout to be heard means having to announce your business to everyone around.). Yes, I understand that Celebrity is trying to create a "party atmosphere" however, how is it enjoyable when one is assaulted by the music? Imagine waiting outside The Grand Epernay Dining Room for the doors to open, you and several hundred others crowded into a small area with thumping bar music playing so loud that all you can do is stand and listen since there is no conversation possible, not pleasant.). Or how about the elderly female passenger outside Celebrity Central theater who repeatedly tried to get help from a staff member as she was becoming ill and needed to be assisted to a restroom but had to resort to yelling for help as the music was so loud that she could not be heard until it was too late. Not pleasant for her I'm sure. I also understand that "too loud" is a matter of opinion so others may disagree. We are not looking for a "snooze cruise" but an experience where music is appropriate to the venue in which it is located. A 15 deck open atrium that has the library, card room and ILounge backing onto it, having insanely loud, thumping, pumping music is not the answer. As others have noted, many obvious music venues where under-utilized (Sky Lounge, Quasar, Cellar Masters) and these areas sat empty most evenings or were used for table tennis (Quasar). In the Sky Lounge and Quasar, I expect dance or techno music and welcome it and will likely participate as the mood strikes me. If I choose not to be a part of the music activities, then my choice offends no one and I can move to an area of the ship where I can relax with a book, have a quiet drink, socialize with friends and recharge and re-energize myself in my own way. Let ME choose when to be part of the party. Celebrity has made a serious mistake with this marketing model and I can't help but think it will turn away more of us than attract. This why my review goes from a 5 star to a 3 star. I understand that some will say this is an unfair reduction in the rating after so many positives, but like ongoing rude service, or a too hot cabin, missed stops and bad food the music was a deal breaker since it was so pervasive and inescapable. This is my 4th cruise on Celebrity and this experience will make this my last...it appears that I am past the marketing target that Celebrity is going after.

So there it is in a large, long nutshell. Many positives. An itinerary that I would quickly recommend, a beautiful ship with an outstanding staff, delicious food, beautiful cabins and public areas. Of concern, a more than challenging life boat drill and completely overwhelming music from stem to stern at all times. A good cruise but much better when your not on the ship.

Just got back from our "Inside Passage to Alaska" cruise on the Solstice (8/15-8/22/2014) and found the LOUD MUSIC everywhere. From morning to night it was one continuous din. We enjoy a party as much as the next person, but the overwhelming, pulsating, pounding, driving, loud bar music made for a very unpleasant trip. I'm not elderly, not really even old but felt as if we couldn't escape the noise anywhere other than our cabin. We felt like prisoners being "musicboarded". Even in areas of the ship where you'd expect quiet, the music was over-loud, Persian Gardens (irritatingly loud screechy vocals as well the thumping music from the fitness center next door), the Solarium Pool, blasting instrumentals (here at least they willingly would turn down the volume to a reasonable level if asked), The Atrium area (the volume of music was so loud that you couldn't speak to the person standing next to you without shouting. Amazingly this is also an area where passengers and staff conduct business and having to shout to be heard means having to announce your business to everyone around.). Yes, I understand that Celebrity is trying to create a "party atmosphere" however, how is it enjoyable when one is assaulted by the music? Imagine waiting outside The Grand Epernay Dining Room for the doors to open, you and several hundred others crowded into a small area with thumping bar music playing so loud that all you can do is stand and listen since there is no conversation possible, not pleasant.). Or how about the elderly female passenger outside Celebrity Central theater who repeatedly tried to get help from a staff member as she was becoming ill and needed to be assisted to a restroom but had to resort to yelling for help as the music was so loud that she could not be heard until it was too late. Not pleasant for her I'm sure. I also understand that "too loud" is a matter of opinion so others may disagree. We are not looking for a "snooze cruise" but an experience where music is appropriate to the venue in which it is located. A 15 deck open atrium that has the library, card room and ILounge backing onto it, insanely loud, thumping, pumping music is not the answer. As other posters have noted, many obvious music venues where under-utilized (Sky Lounge, Quasar, Cellar Masters) and these areas sat empty most evenings or were used for table tennis (Quasar). In the Sky Lounge and Quasar, I expect dance or techno music and welcome it and will likely participate as the mood strikes me. If I choose not to be a part of the music activities, then my choice offends no one and I can move to an area of the ship where I can relax with a book, have a quiet drink, socialize with friends and recharge and re-energize myself in my own way. Let ME choose when to be part of the party. Celebrity has made a serious mistake in their marketing and I can't help but think it will turn away more of us than attract.

My spouse and I will be heading out to Alaska on the Celebrity Solstice. We'll be travelling with my family. We are counting the days!

We were on the same cruise 12/1-12/8 and also had difficulty with our a/c. Our friends noticed it when they came to our cabin for a glass of wine prior to dinner the second night out. HAL had left a notecard in our cabin (650 Main Deck Portside), and asked if there was anything that could be done to improve our cruise experience. I noted that the DVD player was not working and that the a/c was not cooling the room as it should and could it be fixed. I also asked for a fan in the event that the a/c problem could not be resolved. When we returned from dinner the fan was in our cabin and running, the DVD player was working except that it had no sound. The front desk called several times to confirm that the work had been done to our satisfaction and 3 additional times sent engineers to our cabin to check the temperature and air flow. We had very limited a/c for 4 days and then it was wonderful. We were told that the filters had been changed and that had been the source of the problem. Was it? I'm not sure. None of this was at my request beyond the initial comment card. Additionally, we received a note of apology and a $50 beverage card for the inconvenience. We also met another couple who had experienced no a/c for the entire trip and HAL had not even given them a fan or tried to change thier cabin. This entire cruise was rather strange and far from the norm we've come to expect on Holland America. Not bad really, just sub-par.

Thanks for the very helpful and informative review. We are sailing for the second time on Ryndam in a little over a week. We have done this itinerary before in 2009, but enjoyed it and the ship so much we are going again, this time with another couple who will taking their first cruise. Glad to hear that really nothing has changed on board from 2009, the service and quality I mean. We have never failed to have a wonderful time on the HAL ships and I know this cruise will be no exception. As far as A/C problems, we have experienced it on a number of different ships, Caronia, QE2, Maasdam, but it has never been unfixable. We usually request a fan upon boarding and that seems to do the trick.

Yes I do agree that their need to be more outlets in the room....I sleep with a CPAP as well and have to remember to pack an extension cord so that I can reach the outlet from the bed, not to mention bringing a power strip to charge our cameras and power our Ipod.

Looking forward to the vacation and to meeting new cruise friends!

Hey Ron,

Ah yes I saw you also on the Ship Mate app...somehow I don't remember the login info to get back on that so I have only been using it as a countdown for the cruise. We are traveling with another couple (straight but not narrow) who are one their first cruise, so this should be fun. We are signed for the CC M&G over on the HAL Rollcall, so please join us....the more the merrier.:D

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Thank you very much for posting a picture of my all time favorite ship, many fond memories from her when she was the Vistafjord.

 

Of all the ships we have cruised on since the early 70's, she is the only one we have a picture of framed on display in our home.

 

To this day, we still miss her.

Yes I have a picture of her hanging in my home as well! She was wonderful.

I forgot to mention a later experience we had aboard the Caronia. Although we only had the fortune to sail on her once, we were in Southampton in January 2004 getting ready to sail the "Maiden Voyage" of the Queen Mary 2 and also in dock was the Caronia. We had friends who worked for Cunard in Southampton and as we were several days early for the QM2 we were given an option to see QM2 early, we chose instead to revisit Caronia. It was like going home. She was as I had remembered her. The highlight of that brief visit was being invited to a light lunch in the "White Star Bar" (the old North Cape Bar) with the Captain and several officers as well as the head of security for QM2. It was an unexpected surprise that I fondly remember...along of course with all the festivities associated with Queen Mary 2...heady, wonderful times.

My first cruise was in April 2000 on board the Cunard Caronia. It had sailed as the Vistafjord for many years and was renamed about 6 months before I sailed on her. It was a 14 day cruise, "The Grand Gulf of Mexico". For whatever the reasons, the ship was only half full and there was more staff than passengers, so we were treated royally. We were in cabin #264 Main Deck. There were 3 of us, my mother, brother and me sharing the cabin. Surprisingly we had ample room. The trip was memorable for a variety of reasons, the food, the service, the many laughs and the stories we still tell. My favorite memory is sitting in a deck chair, watching the world go by, trying to read a book but always dozing off or having breakfast on the Lido Deck while watching the dolphins race alongside the ship as we travelled to our port of call or having dinner in the Tivoli Restaurant onboard and having food so good that it nearly made us cry ( the lobster stuffed ravioli with GIANT prawns comes to mind).

She was a beautiful ship, yes she was getting on in years but was very well maintained and had a clubby, intimate feel that is somehow lost on today's mega-ships. How I'd love to take that trip over again, it holds a very dear place in my heart. Yes, I was hooked and have cruised every chance I get. What a delight!

We're heading out to the Western Caribbean on 1 December aboard the HAL Ryndam with another couple who are joining us for their first cruise. Counting the days until we leave! Nice ship, easy trip.